Quiz

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*travels back in time to afford buying books*

Can You Guess How Much These Popular Books Cost When They Debuted?

Quiz: Guess The Original Price Famous Books Sold For

In 1997, _Harry Potter_ debuted and cost [£10.99](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/harry-potter-first-edition-price-value-sells-how-know-you-have-one-hardback-bloomsbury-a7961726.html). Today a first edition can go for [thousands of dollars](https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanamohamed/13-of-the-rarest-books-in-the-world-and-where-to-find-them).

_Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone_ by J.K. Rowling

In 1963, _The Bell Jar_ debuted in England for [18 shillings](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002134/19630129/114/0004), or £0.90. Now, a copy goes for around $15 (£11.75).

_The Bell Jar_ by Sylvia Plath

_A Light in the Attic_ cost [$10.95](https://www.theawl.com/2011/12/how-much-more-do-books-cost-today/) in 1981 and sells for around $15 now.

_A Light in the Attic_ by Shel Silverstein

In 1955, _Lolita_ cost [five dollars](https://www.nytimes.com/1958/08/17/archives/the-tragedy-of-man-driven-by-desire-lolita-by-vladimir-nabokov-319.html). Today a copy typically costs $13.

_Lolita_ by Vladimir Nabokov

In 1859, _The Origin of Species_ sold for [14 shillings](https://books.google.com/books?id=UwJCql8t5QwC&pg=PA348&lpg=PA348&dq=the+origin+of+species+14+shillings&source=bl&ots=6AfOT_yTK2&sig=X13L84O_1saIP8AhY5QxQ4YehCI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLob6XxfzeAhVOw1kKHX0GAMoQ6AEwAXoECAQQAQ#v=onepage&q=the%20origin%20of%20species%2014%20shillings&f=false), or £0.70. A reprint today can go for $10, or £7.83. (Recently, though, a copy of the original sold for [$170,569](https://www.buzzfeed.com/alanamohamed/13-of-the-rarest-books-in-the-world-and-where-to-find-them).)

_The Origin of Species_  by Charles Darwin

In 1925, _The Great Gatsby_ cost [two dollars](https://www.nytimes.com/1925/04/19/archives/scott-fitzgerald-looks-into-middle-age-the-great-gatsby-by-f-scott.html). Now you can get a copy for around $12.

_The Great Gatsby_ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

_Pride and Prejudice_ cost [18 shillings](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/austen-power-200-years-of-pride-and-prejudice-8454448.html), or £0.90, when it debuted in 1813.  Today you can buy a new copy for eight dollars (£6.27). 

_Pride and Prejudice_ by Jane Austen

_Franny and Zooey_ cost [$3](https://www.theawl.com/2011/12/how-much-more-do-books-cost-today/) when it debuted in 1961. Today, a copy costs around $10 now.

_Franny and Zooey_ by J.D. Salinger

_Their Eyes Were Watching God_ originally sold for [two dollars](https://www.nytimes.com/1937/10/06/archives/books-of-the-times-preface.html) in 1937, and can now retail for $15.

_Their Eyes Were Watching God_ by Zora Neale Hurston

In 1996, _The Notebook_ was a bestseller that cost [$16.95](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/27/books/best-sellers-october-27-1996.html), but today you can grab a copy for around eight dollars.

_The Notebook_ by Nicholas Sparks

You didn't guesstimate quite correctly, but I bet you'll ace it if you try again.

Aw, man.

You held your own against the fluctuations of time and $$$

Not bad!

Congratulations on your weird ability to guess old-timey book prices! Whip this quiz out at a party to impress friends.

Nice!

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Can You Guess How Much These Popular Books Cost When They Debuted?

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